somethinelse

Friend sent me an email in German, I think! How can I translate it??! I think there is a way to retype it in its German and have it translated into English, right? (Supposedly a practical joke, I think...) Gotta go to work, I'll check back later from a University computer where more options are available. Thanx- L.

I'm not giving up. BUT It really is too bad that THIS sport is becoming so expesive and so sad that some people are so elitist.

Heya. Went to the DZ and talked to just about everybody. Does not look good to get up in the air at all for me this year. So I will wait til next, retrain and start jumping my own rig with more frequency since then rental costs and availablitiy of rental gear won't be such a set back..and jump tickets are cheaper too wehn rental costs aren't tacked on to it too. Its ok. I'm not giving up, just got a late start at it, so I'll be safer than sorry and unsafe. Thanx ya'all. Blues- LuLu.

Heya Airman. Thanx so much for your encouragement! You've really brightened things up for me. I appreciate it. I work for the Post Office, and amazingly had 3 possible days available within the next week to get in retraining- Mon, Tues, or next Sun... One of the trainers I checked with told me that he thought there was a class sceduled for Tues. Only to find the orginal group slotted for the class postponed til next week. It can really be a frusterating when you gotta try to rearrange your work-life schedule(dang near impossible) to make a weekday retaining ground school class. As late as it's getting, and our DZ soon to close for the winter, I might not be able to get in the air at all, unless a possible option for me could be to have a coach jump after being rebrieed on emergency proceedures again...I'll have to see if that IS an option. Well I guess I'll find out soon enough. Blues- LuLu.

Well, I put $$$$ into at least getting this far, and it just keeps adding up. So get used to it. HA! How I got thru training eventually- Was to find a friendly DZ that worked with me to do an integrated program& AFP- which uses ONE TRAINER during ground work as well as in freefall. I had the utmost faith and confidence in my trainer, and we worked the way thru the A-Licence check list. Basically, most of my freetime on weekends, as well as my alotted fun spending money after necessities went to skydiving... And I got my A within a summer's time. And hey, I had a low paying job at the time too. I was just broker than usual that summer. So if I could do it, so can you. Ok?

Yep. So true. Thanx for the encouragement dude. -LuLu.

Dang it all. I got hooked on this sport and its been one thing after another to try to keep just current. Seems like bad luck was definitiely MY THING... Until this year! When things are finally starting to turn around for me finacially. Now that I want to start jumping again, and trying to get current, I find it frusterating to try to get the time and help that I need, especailly with a stupid usual 6-day work week. Well, I've had it with renting! I've had enough of feeling like a dumb hobby tourist newb, and am definitely-NO MATTER WHAT BUYING GEAR WITH MY TAX RETURN! This late winter. What all do I have to do to safely get in the air again? Yes, I gotta rent until I have my own gear. I need ideas for who, where when in Michigan to get training tips coaching etc, to help me over the hurdle to learning and continuing to grow in this sport. Thanx ya'all sorry for the rant! -LuLu LiLa. (opps...edited for typing too fast & sloppy)

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MAMBA 132 EVALUATION Jim Dunaway, D-25827 Introduction: Recently, at a major 2006 Summer Boogie, I was jumping and swooping my Big Air Sportz Samurai 136 (airlocked elliptical), when I was approached by Aerodyne representative Karl Meyer with an offer to jump and evaluate the new Aerodyne Mamba 132 sq. ft. elliptical canopy. I love my Samurai and have become comfortable and proficient with it, so I thought a comparison might be fun to do - and appreciated the opportunity to fly the Mamba. Openings, Toggle Inputs & Docile Flight: I jumped the Mamba at a 1.7 wing loading, and was comfortable with its range right away. I both PRO-packed and Psycho-packed the canopy, and got good openings. I did both sub-terminal and long-delay openings, as well as some intentional out-of-position harness openings, and could not upset the canopy heading on opening very significantly. I experienced no opening shock whatsoever in any of these conditions, but have to give part of the credit to the new ICON container and harness, which is the most comfortable container I've jumped. I was able to "spin up" the canopy with harsh toggle switch-backs, but it took some effort, and went only 1 -3 twists - which easily kicked out...it wants to fly straight. At lighter wing loadings, this would be a very forgiving progression for someone who is looking for their 1st elliptical canopy. The Mamba has light,crisp, and sharp toggle turns when desired, with near-zero oversteer, but I was also able to hold it in very deep brakes and still maneuver very flat left and right turns without instability or a sense of 'folding up'. Riser Inputs, Advanced Maneuvers: I first tested the Rear Risers for right-hand emergency turn-outs, and was impressed with the quick rate of turn - both with brakes stowed or released. There was much more oversteer with brakes stowed, rarely covering less than 270 degrees before recovery to straight flight... not a bad thing when you need to get below and away from the bone-head who is flying straight at you while messing with his slider! Rear riser turns with toggles released were a pleasure, with the ability to do high G-force "switch-backs" very crisply. Front Riser turns were very light and generated very fast canopy speeds. I did notice, however, that a quick,deep front riser input (6" or more), would cause the canopy to "buck" somewhat - more so, the deeper the input. After watching the canopy after several of these inputs, I noticed canopy distortion & determined the deep brake settings (which make the openings SO sweet), was the reason for this behavior. I DO NOT suggest deep or abrupt front riser turns for landing the Mamba (due to the deep brake set-up). Smoothness is paramount. Harness Inputs are a key to higher performance, and will reward the more experienced jumper at higher wing loadings. A smooth & shallow (4") front riser turn to initiate, if followed through with deep harness input, is the key to a fast and smooth 270 degree riser turn. I found that the Mamba was very comparable to my Samurai in the altitude drop for a 270 performance approach to landing, and I was soon consistent with swooping the canopy in this manner. Swoops, Carves, & Landings are smooth and fun with the Mamba. When the approach is dialed in and the speed is high, the Mamba is an impressive swoop machine. I found a light 'bump' on the rear risers would often yield a long and settled "turf surf" with no need for any input whatsoever. On one of my (slightly cross-wind) swoops, I was able to fly this canopy 'hands free' a comparable distance to my best Samurai swoop. Carves with rear risers an/or toggles were predictable, without abrupt climbs or drops in altitude. Another place where the deep brake settings pay off is in the hang time of the flight, plus a pleasant and consistent 'pop-up' to standing at the end of the landing flare. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOG BOOK NOTES: "Full canopy test. Impressive! Checked all inputs. Less likely to 'spin-up' with hard toggle input. Front riser 270 very similar to Sammy with approx 500' of dive. Noticed bucking and distortion of wing with hard, deep front inputs. Less riser input with harness follow-through stopped this issue. Very steerable with harness only, but less stable in wind as my airlocked canopy. When dialed in - swoops were smooth, with impressive (and comforting) 'pop-up' to standing at end of flare. Fun Wing!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THANK YOU! Thank You Karl (and Aerodyne) for the opportunity to jump the Icon container and Mamba parachute. SUMMARY: >I'm spoiled on my BigAirSportz Samurai. The stability and rigidity make it predictable no matter what the pilot inputs or wind conditions, although it requires an active and alert pilot to fly it. Wherever you point the Samurai - it will accurately fly... until the PILOT redirects it. >The Mamba is much more forgiving in that regard, and is a very pleasing and fitting entry into the market. As far as outright performance: I would put it up against the Icarus Crossfire or the PD Katana (both of which, I have flown)....and I would definitely recommend it (over the competition) as a first elliptical canopy for a lighter wing loaded pilot. I also jumped the Pilot 132 and 150 while doing Bird-Man jumps at this same event. I came away impressed with this design as well, and am advising my DZO to use them for student progression canopies. Jim Dunaway D-25827 CSA-548 [email protected] IMPORTANT NOTE> I am also strongly recommending newer (AND EXPERIENCED) pilots to take a focused canopy course before going to an elliptical design of any size. It makes a difference. With today's equipment breakthroughs and the quickly evolving nature of the sport, every jumper should keep current by taking courses that focus not only on skills, but which can help with adrenaline and fear psychology in emergency situations. Hesitation and fixation is maiming and killing experienced jumpers every season. Brian Germain has excellent courses that deal with this life-saving aspect of canopy piloting. Go to: www.briangermain.com or www.bigairsportz.com for details. Blue skies & safe flights! - JD

Hey ya'all. You've been REALLY great! Talked to my co-worker today, and told him about the "pieces of eight" he got a laugh outa their sense of humor... Later on he said, that he knows he can pursue THIS, but it just a matter of timing and money. So it's all good. thanx. You've been a great help and encouragement. Blues! -LuLu.

Eule thanx, that WAS helpful. I'll tell him about this. Yeah, I think you would need to counter the weight deference to keep from spinning. He did say that he wants to freefall Not just do statics any more. So I'm sure that instructors could/would work with him on all his issues. Thanx Wendy & Eule for your input! -LuLu.

Hey Wendy. thanx. I'll tell him tocheck it out. I think that it's a concern about how landing would varying with a prosthetic leg, and how to have a freefall without possibiolity of losing his leg. i've seen him take it off, I i can see how that would be a concern. Also, what variancing in technique would be necessary to compensate for the difference in weight between the two legs? it would be SO COOL to have another skydiving friend- especially one that I work with. thanx! -LuLu.

hi I new to this forum, so bear with me. I got a new job recently at the Post Office, and getting acquainted with my coworkers. this one guy was out for a while after having a leg amputated below his right knee. (If it's any consequence, I think he's right-handed too.) end of work one day I was talking about wanting to go skydiving... and he tells me that he was going thru static line training. I told him that there probably was a way to do it still with some special techniques, and that i check into it for him. So how about it? He said he really enjoyed it, but hate to have him think that skydiving is all gonna be past-tense for him now. so where can he check out getting the information that he needs to be able to get back into this sport if he so chooses? Thanx everybody... -LuLu.

Due to nature of my life seldom get to internet access...But am now checking up on ya'all. Good posts. Thanx. Yeah, this idea of how much to do while healing is tricky, huh? But sounds like easy, but consistent use, moderation in pushing it is key, huh? And not overdoing anything in particular to cause setbacks or reinjury? What do you think expectations realistically should be regarding real strong healing of bone and muscle strength?? Guys can act so tough, so REALLY what do ya think?

A good friend of mine broke his femur! What are good additional things to help in healing time, and making it a really strong mend? He's on pain/inflammation meds + physical therapy, but there HAS GOT TO BE lots more additional stuff that can be helpful, too, right? I'd really like some good advice/tips about this. Thanx!

yep Don't get a tat if you aren't absoutely sure about the design OR about getting one at all. I made up a design, and the actually tattoo was not done well... so I regret not doing my research to have a real "artist" do it in the first place. Somethings are awesome when done on impulse, But not when it comes to tattoos! Sory to say I've been there done that. -Lila.

I agree with Brian. Up til about 40, getting old seems an eternity away. But once ya get to tthe top of the hill - 40- Time seems to fly by real quick. You'll be glad you still have it some day + interest.

No, Probably not. I only come around once in a while to see if there's anything original or new going on, or if i'm looking for some info. But the vibe's changed here over the years, and I've lost the newbie thrill of "everything skydiving"... So, I don't hang around here much any more

JohnMitchell Good points ALL. Defintiely right about BIG is BETTER. Thanx, I appreciate your insights.

NWFlyer Thanx! I probably CULD afford to piece a rig together bit by bit more quickly. Posting a Wanted Ad is a GOOD idea too.

NASAR. Hmm, I'll have to send a email to the head of the organization and ask him if we are a memeber (yet?) of it. Discounts are slways awesome.

Central Michigan's main concern is proabably all the lakes and rivers we have and lots of State & national Forest Land too. But then again, you never know who or why somebody is missing and needs to be located or given aid. Ya know?

It was really funny at the first meeting I went to in March. At one point the "leader" pres.(or whatever he calls himself!) asked the huge group that showed up for the first offical meeting (60+) of us there, who all worked in an offical capacity as medic police or fire rescue now... almost 75% or more raised their hands! I was definitely in the minority as just an ordinary citizen...But one that likes adventure and challenge I guess...Which obviously what the others share too, but that took them into their desired occupations- but me into my thrill-seeking sports/hobbies. More later...Gotta Go! BLUES!

the list of gear that the West Central Michigan Search And Rescue grup has available at ttheir website IS EXTENSIVE! I think support for the pack with all it's stuff is a good idea... Now how to organize all that STUFF to be able to FIND anything when I need it will be another challenge!

hey, THANX, EMSchick! I appreciate your help. I'm gonna check into that sight some more when I got some more time...